IFOM

Deciphering cancer with artificial intelligence

2026/03 | Milan

Are you a cancer researcher looking for an environment where ambitious ideas are actually supported? IFOM, Italy’s leading institute for molecular oncology, invites outstanding junior scientists to establish independent research programs in an internationally competitive, and innovation-driven setting.

IFOM offers long-term vision, strong institutional support, and access to cutting-edge experimental and computational platforms.

We are particularly interested in researchers working at the interface of cancer biology, AI, and chemical biology, including these areas:

Causal and reasoning-enabled AI models to infer cancer drivers, targetable vulnerabilities, and mechanisms of therapy resistance

Generative AI for biology to implement virtual protein modeling and design

AI-driven computational histopathology, enabling predictive or synthetic tissue images from integrated immunohistochemistry and spatial-omics data.

AI for chemical biology, virtual drug screening, in vivo and in vitro target discovery

AI agents and integrative models linking molecular data to phenotypes and clinical outcomes

Projects that combine computational innovation with experimental validation and have a clinical trajectory are strongly encouraged.

 

Our research spans the full cancer pipeline and includes: molecular mechanisms of tumor initiation and metastasis, precision oncology through genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and spatial-omics, experimental therapeutics and translational research bridging discovery to the clinic and 13 core-facilities. Join a dynamic international scientific community that thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. Work alongside experts in precision medicine, artificial intelligence, cancer genetics, genome stability, cell signaling, protein stability, genomic analysis, mechanobiology, and immunology, fostering an environment where groundbreaking ideas flourish.

 

Why IFOM

With researchers from more than 35 countries, IFOM is a truly international research environment where diversity is a driver of scientific innovation. IFOM provides the freedom, resources, and collaborative ecosystem needed to build impactful science in today’s evolving research landscape. Explore opportunities at IFOM and help shape the future of cancer research.

 

Comprehensive Support

IFOM offers a competitive start-up package and compensation, along with administrative and grants management support. As a member of the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, you'll benefit from networking opportunities, training sessions, mentoring and funding possibilities to fuel your research endeavors.

 

Inclusive environment

IFOM is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace, and we particularly welcome applications from women and underrepresented minorities to contribute to scientific excellence. IFOM is a gender-equality institute, actively supporting equal opportunities and the advancement of women in science, fostering an inclusive environment where their careers can truly thrive.

 

Qualifications

  • MD, MD/PhD or PhD and postdoctoral research experience
  • Strong publication record
  • Potential to establish an independent, externally-funded research program

 

Preferred Qualifications 

  • Experience working on cutting edge science
  • Proven success in collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams

 

How to Apply

Send your cover letter detailing your research interests, CV, and contact information for three references to recruitment@ifom.eu.

Fast-review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.

 

 

last update: 17/03/26
Disclaimer privacy

ITA - (articolo 13 del Regolamento UE 2016/679) La informiamo che i suoi dati saranno trattati da IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS per le sole finalità di selezione. La base giuridica del trattamento è, ai sensi dell’art. 6, par. 1, lett. b), l’esecuzione di misure precontrattuali su richiesta dell’interessato. I suoi dati potranno essere comunicati a terze parti localizzate anche in Paesi fuori dall’Unione Europea ai soli fini della valutazione e selezione delle candidature per la posizione a cui si sta candidando. In tal caso, IFOM ottiene le necessarie garanzie affinché il trasferimento dei Dati sia effettuato conformemente a quanto prescritto al Capo V del GDPR. curricula ricevuti saranno eliminati al termine dell’anno solare successivo a quello di ricezione; qualora lei fosse ancora interessato a proporci la sua candidatura dovrà necessariamente effettuare un nuovo invio Ai sensi degli artt. 15 e ss. del Regolamento UE 2016/679 per esercitare i suoi diritti può scrivere al Titolare dei dati: IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS, via Adamello 16, Milano, privacy-desk[@]ifom.eu. Infine, Le indichiamo che IFOM ha nominato un Responsabile della Protezione dei Dati (DPO) contattabile al seguente indirizzo dpo[@]ifom.eu.

ENG - (Article 13 of the EU Regulation 2016/679) We inform you that the archiving and processing of data referring to you are carried out by IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS in order to perform the recruitment process. Pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) the legal basis for the processing is the necessity to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract. Your data shall be communicated to third parties that could be located in countries outside the European Union for the recruitment process. IFOM has obtained the necessary guarantees to transfer the Data in compliance with the provisions of Chapter V of the GDPR. The resumes received will be deleted at the end of the calendar year following the one of receipt; if you are still interested in proposing your application you will have to re-send. According to Article 15 et seq of the EU Regulation 2016/679 to exercise your rights you can write to the Data Controller: IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS, via Adamello 16, Milano, privacy-desk[@]ifom.eu. Finally, we inform you that IFOM has appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who can be contacted at dpo[@]ifom.eu.